What Kind Of Vessel
By Pastor Wes Rigdon
“…Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:19b-21
What kind of vessel are you? Are you a vessel unto honor or dishonor? You are one type or the other; there is no middle ground here. Once your name has been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, you must allow yourself to be used of the Lord. Works are directly tied to the type of vessel you become. Works are a direct reflection of what is going on inside. You work because you are saved: Ephesians 2:8-10 helps with the understanding that works is not a qualifier for salvation: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” However, there are a few things one must realize to be the appropriate type of vessel.
The vessel unto honor purges himself from the things listed in 2 Timothy 2:20. The wood and the earth speak of the things in your life that are impure and fleshly. You must purge your life of the things of this world and of the things that lift up the flesh. But only to purge and never to replace the purged areas with the right kind of things will simply result in the wrong things making their way back into your life. Thus, upon purging the inappropriate things from your life, you must replace those things with silver and gold, the things that are pure and Godly. The process of sanctification is not simply to remove, but purposefully to place the things in your life that God’s Word says should be there. It is only then that you will be meet for the Master’s use.
You have such an opportunity with a Godly testimony to help others understand what kind of vessel you have chosen for yourself. I cannot say it any better than James did in James 2:18 “Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
SHARING
The Mystery Of Iniquity Moving Forward
“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work…And then shall that Wicked be revealed…Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7a,8a,9
(The following are comments from an article by Marv Rosenthal)
Satan goes about as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Sometimes…as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). And the entire world is said to lie in wickedness (in the wicked one) as if in a drunken stupor without understanding their actual condition (1 John 5:19).
If all that sounds bad, add to it the reality that Satan does not act alone. When Satan rebelled, one third of the angelic host willingly chose to follow him (Revelation 12:3-7), thus countless numbers. The Apostle Paul warned the church at Ephesus:
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12)
These fallen angels (evil spirits) are everywhere. They are crafty, powerful, cunning, and wicked. They operate in the spheres of politics, religion, education, and entertainment to promote all manner of evil wherever they see a weakness or opening. They are capable of great influence, largely unrecognized by the public, and rarely, when the weakness or opening is large enough, they are capable of indwelling a human being and taking control. They are capable of developing plans that take years, decades, or centuries to bring to fruition. And with the proper circumstances, they can, over time, groom a man or woman to accomplish their purposes, which of course is the purpose of Satan, their leader. (end of Mr. Rosenthal’s comments)
Jesus spoke directly to the religionists of His day: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44)
Truly, the mystery of iniquity is working, setting the stage for the coming of the anti-christ.
SHARINGA Tribute To Redemption
I am not as Your goodness created me to be,
For as by Adam’s transgression all nature’s changed.
I have no innocence to defend,
For my own sin testifies against me.
With broken and contrite spirit my sins I confess
Seeking thy forgiveness, cleansing and fellowship
So that Your purchased possession
May once more glorify Your redeeming grace.
O Lord, may the blight of my waywardness
Join the shame of my disobedience to
Serve in reproving the selfishness of my
Having done despite to Thy Spirit of grace.
Of myself I am but criminal before Thee
But washed from sin by Christ’s shed blood,
I am imputed with Divine righteousness
And privileged unto my Redeemer’s service.
Tis true my soul deserveth eternal damnation
But through Christ’s atonement interceding
Your mercy overtops sin’s offense.
Looking to Your Son’s sacrifice for sin,
It is not difficult to Your power
Ill-sorting with Your justice or
Unwonted with Your loving kindness
To forever exonerate the believer’s soul.
You have chosen redemption for Your creation
Not willing that any should perish.
Acknowledge in me that is Yours,
And forever hide me from that which is mine.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.” Psalm 103:1,4
SHARINGStaying Away From The Fiscal Cliff
(Adapted from an article by Pastor Charles Miller)
I. BELIEVE THAT GOD PROVIDES. “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:25
II. EXERCISE DISCIPLINE. “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.” Proverbs 21:20 This verse isn’t about rich and poor people. It is about wise and foolish people. Overspending and overextending is the failure to exercise self discipline. Be wise and restrain yourself.
III. SPEND WISELY. “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7 Tithe as an investment for God’s blessings. Provide the basic necessities. Make your decisions wisely. Remember, we will give account to God for our stewardship over the things He has given us.
IV. SAVE. Joseph told Pharaoh to save for seven years in order to meet the needs of the next seven lean years. What would America look like if our government had spent wisely and saved? What would your life look like–what would it feel like, if you spent wisely and saved? Saving is not only a dead art in America; it has become an artifact. Five years from now, they ought to place a piggy bank in the Smithsonian to remind us all of the ancient ritual of our primitive ancestors who saved money and paid cash. Learn to save money. Don’t hoard it–God doesn’t like that either, but save for security.
V. SHARE. It is more blessed to give than to receive. God’s plan to bless and save Egypt was broader than Egypt. It was about God saving His people, and others reaping the benefit also. What ever one’s position is on helping and needing help, a good one is this: to spend wisely and save so as to be in an able position to give and share. Giving and sharing is an amazing way to help meet needs and transform lives.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
SHARINGTurning Hearts Toward Home
–By Thomas Smith
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Malachi 4:5-6
These are the last words of the Old Testament, and they are a prophecy concerning the ministry of John the Baptist. When the angel disclosed to Zacharias that a child would be born to him and Elisabeth, he said that John would “go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children.” (Luke 1:17). This would be a part of John’s message and ministry, to turn the hearts of parents to their children and children to their parents.
Perhaps there has never been a time when this message is more needed than today. We have witnessed such a collapse in our country in the role and responsibility of the home and family. Our society reflects several generations of rebellion toward the biblical model and teaching concerning the family. The importance of the sacred vows of marriage has been replaced with humanistic views of matrimony. Divorce is commonly seen as an easier option rather than working through the conflicts all relationships experience. Children are viewed by many parents as more of a burden than a blessing. Legalized abortion has opened the door for masses of adults to view the unborn as something less than a human life. Mothers and fathers are leaving the rearing of their children to child care professionals, while they place the priority of career above family.
Young people are more disrespectful to their elders in general, and parents in particular, than in any generation we have seen. Brainwashed by the media and the lifestyles of their peers, adolescents are being trained in a world with few examples of parental honor and obedience. Paul warned Timothy that in the last days, the youth would be disobedient to parents. This absence of honor for elders is not a condition limited to young people. Generations of disrespectful youth have grown to become disrespectful adults who are rearing future generations of the same.
May we take serious heed to the words of truth, and turn our hearts toward home. As adults, may we turn our hearts to our children and the children to their parents. In a world of confusion and rebellion, our homes can still be a place of refuge and peace.
SHARING
